I think you’re right on target to talk about differences, and most people find it interesting. Likewise, there are instances that most U.S. citizens who travel (especially in the 3rd world) will find subtleties which will change their viewpoints against many of the excessive norms of the U.S. I do find it funny though when I meet people looking to test my pompousness as an “American” they are usually also Americans. By a quick check of the map, if you live in the Western Hemisphere, and aren’t European, you’re more than likely an American of some sort. Semantics at its finest.

Wanted to add a few more differences that aren’t the industry standard in the U.S. especially in a politically correct or bourgeois sense:

Public Urination- Anytime anywhere pretty much, I am not surprised at all anymore to turn around at work, the market, on the way to work, on the way home, seeing a guy taking care of business,

No Peta or Bob Barker- Dogs are not spayed or neutered and are everywhere¡ mostly trying to procreate. I always like to laugh that one of the hot spots is at the Mormon Church which is right next door to where I work and quite visible from the roof of the building we are working on. Its really nice and well mowed and made of all the nicest material, and of course the prime spot for canine adultry. Also (most) dogs are not cared for and are all extremely scared of people. I´ll save the details for the those with weak stomachs, but most reading here have probably been to the third world and know what I´m talking about.

Public Breast Feeding- This is one that has got some attention the past few years in the US, and frankly it wouldn´t be that big of a deal for me if just a bit of discression was used. In Guatemala all bets are off. The middle of the mall food court, at church, in the market right behind the merchandise, you name it. No blankets and no qualms at all. I also love it when someone like say an uncle or other family member will come and pat the baby on the head and talk goo goo gah gah while the kid is feeding.

Children in the back seat- Nope, looks like Brittany Spears would be alright in Guatemala. Always held in the arms in the front seat, or sitting on the middle console, sometimes breast feeding. And I will add that driving is WAY safer in the US. You thought Candadians (sorry I’m from WA St. and B.C. drivers are horrendous) and teenagers were bad? At least they´ve had TSE and had to pass a drivers test. This also goes for motorcycles, and scooter where you can see a family of 4 riding down the street with the two year old riding the handlebars.

Food Storage- It is very common to take something like a soup or rice or noodles off the the stove, set it on the floor for the night and serve it again the next day. Its kind of the school lunch philosophy where one day there will be meatloaf then there will be spaghetti, then hamburger gravy (which I used to love!) Except usually on the third day here its served cold. I guess it wouldn´t be that big of deal if there weren´t a ton of flies all over the place. Of course I haven´t gotten sick yet so…maybe the U.S. is just overly germ conscious. Also, eggs do get refrigerated, while I grew with this as a norm, it is very tough for many from the U.S. although many tell me its because eggs here (Guatemala) don’t have salmonella.

While I don’t necessarily find these things of much concern, and although they would be seen as very taboo in the U.S. I would like to echo your sentiment that different doesn’t mean bad, just different. Heck, where I’m from a plea to a public urination charge will get you a sex offender tag. I appreciate the acceptance here.

A homework for you:

“…é que Narciso acha feio o que não é espelho…”

(except: public bathrooms, the name of the streets and the milk (only milk) in plastic bags.

Now, what I have to say:
The toilet paper thing: In Argentina you just throw the paper in the toilet. Probably the hostels you were put those warnings because of the amount of people that uses the bathrooms. They probably don’t want to pay plumbing services. Also, at least in Argentina everyone besides the toilet paper, uses “bidet”.

Liquids are sold in plastic bags:
Only milk and yogurt. Otherwise, I’ve never saw water sold like that. I’ve went to Bolivia and Peru, and neither of those countries did that too.

About the streets:
That’s true, but it’s not always like that. There are cities in Argentina, like La Plata, that uses numbers. But yeah, mostly they are dates or historic heroes names.

Unfinished buildings:
At least in the places I’ve been, if a building looks unfinished, it probably means just that. They are either still building it or they stay as “frozen projects” because of the country unstable economics.

The money and change, that’s true.

The buses:
In Argentina they are not American school buses or something like that. Actually, they are quite old. WAY too old. But still beautiful since they have the art technique known as “fileteado” all over.

About security, I’ve seen in Bolivia many guards like that. Not in Argentina, but people wants that (¿? Yeah, don’t ask).

Liquid soap is mostly seen on Mc Donalds and some other restaurants. Other than that, yeap, it’s a big bar of solid soap.

Tuk-tuks and motorcycles: I’ve only seen those in Peru and Bolivia. It’s weird to see those driving around in Argentina or Chile as far as I know.

Latin America is WAY too big and has many many different influences from different cultures + our own original cultures + the U.S. influence. That is why your title and most of the content seems way too stereotypical and generic, even if it’s not your genuine intention. I mean, I’ve been in places like Bolivia, which it’s only at about 2500 km. from where I live and… it’s amazingly different.

Anyway, sorry if my english isn’t the best. Greetings from Argentina!

Brazil is only one country of many in Latin America. The culture between the United States and Canada is similar. The culture between Latin American countries has similarities.

You seem to have read this article as a bashing of LA, of which it is not. When someone travels away from home they experience or see things that are different, odd or strange to them. In no way is that supposed to be taken negatively. Seeing different things is what life is about.

So to generalize in this article is not to harm, since the generalizations are not to be taken negatively. I asked that you please read this article clearly and with a good attitude and you will see there is no negativity in it.. unless you personally add it.